Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Synopsis Beckett Taylor is a murderer. His calling, his craft are destruction and intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right? But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.” In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or for worse until death does part.

Reactions "Absolutely stunning" is what I thought of "Poughkeepsie", the first book of this series written by Debra Anastasia.
I used some Kleenex. Laughed. Grabbed the book, with my heart beating like crazy, as the suspense and the fighting had been too intense. In short, it was f**king amazing!

So, learning that there was a sequel...I was dying to get my hands on it as much as I dreaded the outcome. Because when the first opus offers you an incredibly journey, overwhelming by beauty and darkness... The challenge is sure to be difficult to overcome. Well, I must admit that if I have not been so overwhelmed by my emotions, I was, again, incredibly surprised by the imagination of the author. And I can assure you that my fingers are still cramping since I've grabbed my computer so fucking tight while I was reading the PDF!!! Now, I need the paperback to put it on my shelves!

Insults are a delight of inventiveness and the narrative is flamboyant as the personality of Debra Anastasia. The reader can not get bored as the story really dazzled you by its intensity. Sure, the romance between Beckett and Eve is less a sweet fairy tale than Blake and Livia's story. But their love is so strong in its loyalty, its possessiveness and its blackness that is sublime to look blossoming in front of our eyes. The words chosen are raw and tough as they describe the perfection of the emotions of this pair of killers.

Beyond this atypical love story, the author also addresses the difficulty of conceiving a child and help him grow as a parent. Doubts, fears and anxieties that accompany its tasks. She also shows you that in the darkness of some souls, some abus this chance and fuck up lives. Through couples like Blake / Livia, Cole / Kyle and Beckett / Eve, we understand that blood ties are not necessarily the strongest. It is the choice of the people composing your true family that is important. The choice of people you love regardless of their flaws, actions. Through secondary characters like Ryan, Dr Hartt and John McHugh, we realize the importance of family and the luggage it can force us to take. It can push you to revenge, to create links with criminals, save lives and to close your eyes to protect the people you love, to relieve their pains.Family is a strange word full of meanings and responsabilities.

With criminals that make up this story, the reader also see: honor, messes and the darkness of their lives that does not prevent them from having morals or feelings, even if it differs from the norm. A terrible ugly dog saved from certain death by a bloodthirsty killer. Prostitutes, on their knees, busy working while mafia bosses organize, with full weapons, to invade a territory. Diapers waiting to be changed, battered women and women loved, this is the incredible mixture that will come to life before your eyes A bloody fairy tale, with more deadly vilains than good fairies! A realistic and contemporary tale packed with humor and lot of proof of love.

Sentences

From Livia: "I whish I could pu into words the part of my heart that has your name written on it."

From Beckett: "I would've given my left nut to be raised by a man like you."

From Beckett: "Motherfucker. You've got a tight grip. Must have been all those years of masturbating. You've got Voldemort's handshake, baby."

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs, the two kids, the two kids, and her ongoing battle with...ahem... digestive issues, which combined with her adolescent boy sense of humor makes for colorful and sometimes cringe-worthy social media updates. Her first love and crowning achievement is her thriving career as the weirdest mom on the block.

Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when--along with the animals and humans in her house--the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway to plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. Now they stalk her everywhere. Halfway through making lunches, a twist takes hold and--fingers full of peanut butter--she finds somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

She's eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published four of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and two in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!)

She also very much appreciates her open-minded readers, who embrace everything she has to offer, with a focus on anti-heroes and bathroom humor.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Synopsis Four years ago, Mitch Lawson moved across the breezeway from Mara Hanover and she fell in love with the tall, good-looking police detective who had an uncanny ability to dress well even though he’s single. It was not a stalker kind of love; she knows she has no hope since Mitch is way out of her league. That doesn’t change the fact that he’s her dream man.

Then one day Mara’s faucet won’t turn off and she knows nothing about plumbing. Being a good guy, Mitch offers to help then he invites himself over for pizza. Mara gives it a go but finds herself running away from him (literally) on their first date, standing him up their second and then she runs into him (again literally) on her way to save her ne’er do well, criminal cousin’s kids who’d just run away from their ne’er do well, criminal Dad. Suddenly, Mara finds she has on her hands the guardianship of two kids and a gorgeous police detective who’s willing to do anything to help out… including giving fabulous foot rubs.

But Mara knows who she is and where she came from and she knows Detective Mitch Lawson is better than her. Hot law man Mitch disagrees and his challenge is to convince Mara to let go of her past and he sets about building a family at the same time he finds he also needs to protect them all against known and unknown adversaries that would tear them apart.

Reactions Moving! Kristen Ashley has managed to write a great romance with incredibly realistic characters. I really was in this condo with all the neighbors to hear Mara's mother and aunt throwing nasty insults. I had a heavy heart visualizing Billy and Billie in their father living room while he was smashed. I laughed while imagining the shy Mara, plastered, flirting with Hawk ... I smiled on the effect of a little black dress and I fell under the spell of the gorgeous Mitch. But, I especially loved the ending occurring at a baseball game. Perfect, sweet and touching!

A touching and moving couple, who decides to save children, to take responsibility in the name of love. A beautiful story about family and decisions that change a life. As always in the stories of Kristen Ashley, there is a romance with suspense but this time, the author focused on emotions and family. A beautiful combination for a captivating novel.

Sentences

From Mara: "You and me are against all the laws in the universe."

From Mara: "I spent a lot of years saving for a rainy day." I gave him a small smile."So, it's raining. Whatever. The rain always stops."

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Words can be lies, but body language always tells the truth. If we're happy and excited, our posture and movements show it. This is part of the unconscious communication called body language, and when you learn its secret codes you can better understand others, improve your confidence, enhance relationships, and even tell when people are lying. Richard Webster follows his blockbuster book Face Reading Quick & Easy with an exploration of the hidden communication techniques of the body that most people don't even know take place. Use these methods to influence others and understand their motivations. Gain rapport, improve relationships, and progress in life. Written in the easy-to-understand Webster style, you'll find yourself using these methods to make life easier.

Reactions Interesting and fun. Typically the kind of book that whets my curiosity. I'll browse its contents in a bookstore or library. After a moment, I'll be completely captivated by the informations and will try to memorize them. Only problem is even with the best will, I will never move from theory to practice ...

Except one day, during a conversation with someone, a gesture made ​​by my interlocutor will startle me and I will remember having read something ... At this moment, I will plunge into the book again with pleasure. It's why, I enjoy keeping those kind of books on my shelves. After reading them, you forget them. But, when you reread them, they always have something new to teach you. It is often said that I do not hide my emotions and that you can read me like a book ... That is why these methods of deciphering body language amuses me. I loved the TV show, "Lie to me", and "BODY LANGUAGE QUICK & EASY" is not the first book of its kind that I read. However, I must admit I learned new things. Full of comparisons and references to our dailylife help, the reader to easily understand and retain the explanations. Now, I pay attention to people yawning in a conversation or if they touch their nose, chin or ears. Be careful! I do not know if this can dramatically change the outcome of an encounter but it's full of helpfull informations, that tend towards positive thinking, and give advices to gain confidence by correcting bad habits. Very interesting.

Sentence

"You communicated with others well before you were able to say a single word."

Friday, December 27, 2013

Synopsis When old friends become new lovers...anything can happen. Sexy, gifted, and loyal, PI Jacob Decker is a tall, cool drink of perfection who had Emmanuelle Holmes at "hello." His relationship with Emme's best friend kept them apart for years, but things have changed. Now that a case has brought him to Gnaw Bone, Colorado, the road is wide open for Emme and Deck to explore something hotter and deeper than Emme dreamed possible. So why is she sabotaging the best thing that's ever happened to her? It isn't easy to catch Deck off guard, but Emme does just that when she walks back into his life after nine long years. The curvy brunette had her charms back in the day, but now she's a bona fide knockout . . . and she wants to rekindle their friendship. Deck, however, wants more. Emme's always been the one; she excites Deck's body and mind like no other woman can. But a dark chapter from Emme's past overshadows their future together. Now only Deck can help her turn the page-if she'll let him . . .

Reactions
I enjoy reading this story even if there is no particularly stunning final explosion.
I really fell in love with Kristen Ashley by beginning her "Dream Man" last published volume "Motorcycle Man". So, I jumped at the chance to read the latest in the series "Colorado Mountain" and see if the charm would also operate.
Well, yes and no.

Absolutely yes, because the author's opening that are always striking and I loved how I met Emme and Deck. It's full of pep, exciting and full of adrenaline. One wonders where the author will take us because it offers emotional drama, villains, a police investigation, romance... Moreover, I began to salivate in the meeting room when the detectives speculated about the leaders of the gang... My curiosity was hooked to learn if Emme was innocent...
Perfect opening for excitedly turning the pages!

Not really...because as soon as the fireworks of attraction between Jacob and Emme lights fade, I felt a moment of pause in action. It was less intense, less suspenseful and its gets stuck in a routine that is to see the author's chapters begin with Emma's sexual satisfaction. Fun the first time, but not on the long run... As for Jacob who refuses to talk about his job and wants to know everything and every thougts of his girlfriend... Too intrusive for my taste! So, I found that the story was turning around in circles. I also struggled with Jacob's parents meeting scene. For all the players overreact in an extreme way and I was puzzled. Ditto for the relationship with Harvey and Emme. There was potential in this aspect of the plot, but I found that it had been poorly exploited. Not enough scary, too sweet and strange. King of disturbing. Finally, I found the ending a little soft ... Not enough kidnapping, explosions and drama for my taste ... But despite these small details, make no mistake, the story is compelling with very fun, likeable characters.
I have just wanted less emotional drama and more badass shit... Lol And, once again, I emphasize the very realistic, lively style of Kristen Ashley, who brilliantly gives life to her characters!

Sentences

From Deck: "That's spanking you, baby, and when I do it, your ass will be bare and it'll end in an orgasm but it'll also end with a red ass that hopefully will teach you the lesson not to test a man like me."

From Emme: "I'm not a puzzle to figure out, Jacob," I told him, my voice quieter.From Deck: "You are, Emme, the most important to solve."

From Harvey: "I think it's time you stopped existing and started living."

About Me

Obsessed with books, I'm an avid reader who likes to discover new adventures by opening a book.
Thank you in advance for being a little indulgent for the many spelling errors, I try my best in English!